This Is Smart Growth

Through a grant from EPA, the International City/County Management Association (ICMA)and the Smart Growth Network released This Is Smart Growth in September 2006. This publication shows how communities can turn their visions, values, and aspirations into reality, using smart growth techniques to improve the quality of development. Thirty-two Smart Growth Network partners - national organizations representing housing, environmental, community design and development, public health, transportation, local government, and other interests - have approved or endorsed This Is Smart Growth.

This Is Smart Growth describes how, when done well, development can help create more economic opportunities, build great places where people want to live and visit, preserve the qualities people love about their communities, and protect environmental resources. Many people want to know what smart growth looks like; This Is Smart Growth illustrates and explains smart growth concepts and outcomes.

The publication features 40 places around the country - cities, suburbs, small towns, and rural communities - where good development has improved residents' quality of life. Photos illustrate how these communities have invested taxpayer money wisely, offered people more choices in housing and transportation, protected natural and working lands, promoted healthy environments, created a lasting legacy for the community, and achieved other community goals.